Ski tow rope grip



Jan. 15, 1952 R. F. HOFFMAN SKI TOW ROPE GRIP 2 SHEETS-SHEET l FiledDec.

ROBERT F #OFF/VA/V INVENTOR.

Jan. 15, 1952 R HOFFMAN 2,582,630

SKI TOW ROPE GRIP Filed Dec. 1, 1948 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 ROBERT FHOFFMANINVENTOR.

Patented Jan. 15, 1952 Application December 1, 1948, S erialNo. 62,949-

This invention relates to a ski tow rope, grip for use by skiers ingripping a tow rope during the ascending of a ski'slope 'or' slide. Manyski slidesor runs, which are inmost cases quite-steep, embody tow ropeswhich by power, move up the incline of "the run and are-gripped byskiers by one orboth-hands, while using theirflskis as sled surfaces, totake them to the top 'of the runf thereby eliminating the tiresomelabori'ous climbtothe top of the ski run. T f I -Skiers usually wearheavy gloves, due' to temperatures and conditions when skiing is best,and such gloves often get wet, and tow ropes get wet and icy resultingin severe muscular strain on the fingers and forearm muscles of theskier due to the comparatively heavy or strong pressure required to beexerted on the rope to prevent slipping and to provide sufficient gripon the tow rope to carry the skier along with the rope as it ascends theslope. Also when the gloves and tow rope become wet or icy thedifliculty of maintaining sufficient grip thereon increases and causesdiscomfort to the skier, as well as backward slipping when the grip isinsufficient.

Tow rope grips have been provided, some of which being designed fordefinite diameter of rope will not effectively grip tow ropes of another diameter, and still others while being capable of properlygripping ropes of various diameters, must be released and dropped by theskier when the top pulley of the tow rope is reached.

They are usually attached to a cord which is tied to some part of theskiers wearing apparatus, but they flop and fly about during the descenton the ski run or slope and must be groped for when desiring to againascend the slope by a tow rope.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a tow rope gripwhich is simple in construction, to effectively grip tow ropes ofdifferent diameters within the maximum and minimum limits for safetyfactors in tow ropes, which grip is mounted on a gloved hand of the userand remains there, it being so designed and constructed that it may beemployed to grip a ski pole during the descent on the run or slope, thusalways being convenient for use and eliminating disadvantages of presenttypes of tow rope grips.

With these and other objects in view, as may appear from theaccompanying specification, the invention consists of various featuresof construction and combination of parts, which will be first describedin connection with the accompanying drawings, showing a ski tow ropegrip of a preferred form embodying the invention, and the 1 Claim. 01, mr I features forminglthe invention willbe specificall y pointed out inthe claims.

.- in the drawings: '7

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved tow rope grip showing itgripping a tow rope.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the improved-tow op sr nl -;Figure L 3 is anend ;view :-of. the tow rope gr p- Figure 4-is a perspective-view;o'f-the improved tow rope grip showing it, engaging a skipolelFigure 5 is a, view illustrating the. manner of using the, towropegripinascendinga ski slope or run.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the improved tow rope gripincludes a channeled body I, the channel opening out through one side ofthe body I as clearly shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4 of the drawings. Thechannel 2 extends throughout the complete length of the body I and is ofsufficient radius to grip tow ropes of maximum and minimum diameterswithin the safety factors for tow ropes. One of the sides of thechanneled body I, namely, the side 3 has a longitudinally extendingopening out therethrough intermediate the ends of the body. A grippinglever 5 has one end pivotally mounted as shown at 6 in one end of theopening 4. The gripping lever 5 has a portion of its length adjacent toits pivot point curved to form the tow rope gripping section 'I, theinner rope engaging surface of which is roughened to provide a firm gripupon a tow rope, as indicated at A in Figures l and 5 of the drawings.The free end of the gripping lever 5 flares outwardly from the outersurface of the adjacent side of the channel body I so that it may begripped by the hand of the user, either by his thumb as shown in Figures1 and 5, or between the thumb and index finger as shown in Figure 4 ofthe drawings, or any other convenient way to force the gripping portionI into gripping engagement with a tow rope or with a ski pole which isindicated at B in Figure 4 of the drawings. The inner surface of thechanneled body I directly opposite to the gripping portion I of thelever B is roughened as shown at 9 so as to provide a firmer grippingengagement with a tow rope or ski pole.

The channeled body I has a laterally extending flange I0 on the endthereof adjacent to the pivot 6 of the gripping lever 5. The flange It!may have its outer edge eccentric of the curvature of the channeled bodyI, as shown in Figure 3 if so desired, and this flange forms a laterallyextending abutment against which the heel of the hand of the user restsas shown in Figures 1, 4, and 5 of the drawings. An attaching band II,which may be in the form of an elastic strap or a buckled strap, isattached to the flange In andto an attaching lip l2 formed on the otherend of the channeled body I. The attaching strap ll serves to hold thetow rope grip on the hand of the user so that it will always beconvenient for use in gripping either a tow rope or a ski pole.

If it is sov desired, coil springs as shown at l3 may be coiled aboutthe 'pivot pin I4 and engage the lever 5 and channeled body I for urgingthe gripping lever 5 out of gripping position.

Figure 5 of the drawings shows an accepted manner of employing the towrope grip; showing it mounted or carried by the lefthand of the skierwith his forearm placed transversely across his back forming a back restagainst which he leans during the ascent of the slope. Of course, thetow rope grips may be used on both hands or on either the right or lefthand, as desired. It will be understood that the invention is not to belimited to the specificconstruction or arrangement of parts shown, butthat they may be widely modified within the invention defined by theclaim. 1 i

What is claimed is:

A ski tow rope grip including a channeled receiving body having achannel extending throughout its entire length and having alongitudinally-extending'opening in one side thereof, a gripping leverpivotally connected to said channeled body and having an inwardlyextending one end thereof forming an abutment for engageinent by theheel of the hand of a user, an attaching strap carried by said body anda spring engaging said, gripping lever for urging it into nongrippingposition.

i ROBERT F. HOFFMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent: I 7

"UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 277,992 Chase May 22, 18831,174,684 Chestnut Mar. 7, 1916 1,844,433 Markowitz, Feb. 9, 19321,955,473 .Raymer- Apr. 17, 1934 2,301,842 Abrdella Nov. 10, 19422,301,843 Abdella Nov. 10, 1942 2,437,864 Staley Mar. 16, 1948

